Original subtitles

Perfect.

Now comes the fun part.

Decorating.

What do you think, Mr. Bright? Oh, it's a beautiful tree, Brian.

You want to help us decorate it? Oh, don't I wish I could.

Too much to do.

Maybe Horace can help us.

No, he went to St. Louis for the holidays to see Myra and Samantha.

Doesn't the Reverend usually organize this sort of thing?

I haven't seen him around.

Lorne?

You got any pecans?

I got six orders of pies and a fresh ant. I only got a couple of pounds of

pecans, but you can have whatever I got.

Well, thank you.

This ant is too small and nobody's going to see it on the back page.

Exactly, but you didn't want to pay for the front page, remember? Forget what I

said. I want the golden nugget to be noticed.

Hey, Miss Dorothy. Gee.

You want to help us decorate the tree?

Front page.

I want it noticed.

Oh, I'd love to, Brian, but I'm afraid I'm running a little behind.

Will you charge it to my account?

Thanks.

Looks like we'll be decorating the tree ourselves this year, Brian.

No, we'll find someone.

Well, would you look at this?

Ain't that pretty?

That's more snow than we've had around here in years.

I've been thinking about Christmas presents for the children.

We can't afford much this year.

They'll understand the important thing is we're together. Stop, stop, stop.

Christmas dinner.

I don't have my bow. I'll come back later.

What are you doing?

Just let me get my bow.

You can't tell me.

Okay, I'm on.

Can I help? Can I help?

Are you all right?

He's over there.

I got him.

Oh, no.

How about meat, love?

That's a good -looking tree, Brian.

Thanks.

Just trying to find somebody to help decorate it.

Matthew had to go to work.

Colleen took Katie out to Becky's.

Well, I got to go do some hunting.

I got to round us up some Christmas dinner, but I'll help you when we get

And I can help you, too, as soon as I'm done with the clinic.

All right.

See you later.

Reverend? Michaela?

I'm... I'm right here, Reverend.

Are you able to see anything at all?

A little.

I catch a few things out of the corner of my eye, but things right in front of

me are all blurry.

Did you sustain a blow to your head?

No.

When did these symptoms begin?

A couple of days ago.

Do you have any headaches?

Any problem with balance?

No.

What about numbness or tingling in your hands or your arms?

No, nothing like that.

Good. Good.

I need you to look straight forward.

I'm going to move my hand. I want you to tell me when you see it.

No.

What's wrong with me?

I suspect condition, but I can't be certain until I examine you with an

ophthalmoscope.

That's an instrument we use to look into the eye.

Unfortunately, I don't have one.

But Andrew does.

Please.

You're right.

The optic nerve is inflamed.

What does that mean?

You have a condition called optic neuritis.

We don't know what causes it, but the optic nerve becomes red and swollen,

impairing your eyesight.

It can happen suddenly, over the course of hours, or over several days.

But in most cases, Reverend, the condition is only transitory.

Transitory? Quite often, the inflammation dissipates.

The symptoms reverse as quickly as they appeared.

You mean I'm not going to stay like this?

We'll know more over time.

I'd like you to stay with me at the clinic.

That way I can better observe your condition.

Well, certainly.

Reverend, are you all right?

I'll be fine. Please don't worry. Is it true? Are you blind? I'm not blind,

Warren. His vision's really been impaired.

And it's only temporary.

That's a relief.

Colleen, take the Reverend upstairs to the recovery room.

Sure.

Take this inside, please.

Sure.

I'm going to wire the specialists in Boston and New York about your

We're here if you need us, Reverend. Thank you, Robert E. And thank you,

everybody.

Is it true?

Is it only temporary?

In most cases, it is.

However, in some cases, the condition can become permanent.

Come on in, Beverly.

There's a chair over here. Would you rather sit on the bed? You don't have to

fuss over me.

Are you hungry? I can go over to Grace's and get you some soup. No, no, I'm

fine. Would you like some books?

Oh, your Bible.

I'm sorry.

It's all right, Colleen.

Come to think of it, some soup from Grace's would do nicely right now.

Sure. I'll be right back.

I'll get you some water.

Don't worry, Reverend.

Why help me get my sight back the time I hit my head?

She'll do the same for you.

You just wait.

By the time Christmas comes around, you'll be as good as new.

Lord willing.

Do you think we'll get to know this year?

Well, I hope so.

Me too.

Are you going to do another living nativity for the Christmas service?

No, no, I was hoping to keep it simple this year. Talk about the first

Christmas.

I wanted to put the congregation in the place of the shepherds out in the

fields.

When they saw the star over Bethlehem.

That's right.

The most brilliant, gleaming star in the sky.

And from it, a host of angels descended down to Earth.

How many do you suppose are in a host?

Hundreds or thousands.

and their wings glistened in the light from the star.

Can you imagine how those shepherds must have felt, gazing up at that incredible

sight, listening to the news of the Christ child's birth?

I've never seen one angel, let alone a whole host of them.

Me neither.

It must have been beautiful.

That's God's greatest miracle.

Perhaps a teammate with dogbane will help the Reverend.

Or alum root.

Hopefully it'll work.

But if it doesn't... Then it's for the spirits to decide.

If they choose not to return to his site, then it is meant to be.

Why would they do this to him?

Spirits do not punish us.

They only show us what direction we need to go.

Where one path ends, another begins.

Whoa. Ma?

What's wrong?

The reverend, his eyes are getting worse.

Ryan, ride out to the hotel and get Andrew for me. Sure.

I'll get Katie.

The inflammation is not

dissipating.

Are there signs of atrophy?

I'm afraid so.

Now let me know when you see my head.

Now.

But it's all blurry.

I thought you said it was going to get better.

The condition may still reverse itself.

Isn't there anything you can do?

I have some herbs from cloud dancing.

They may help with the inflammation.

I also think that we should wrap his eyes.

I agree. Wrap them.

To decrease the movement and allow them to rest.

Hopefully in a few days the inflammation will subside and your vision will

return.

I can't believe this is happening.

To the reverend of all people.

There's still a chance it's only temporary.

Ma told him so.

I'm sure she's right, Brian.

She's probably just saying that to make him feel better.

That's not so.

Man's getting worse, not better.

Well, it's in God's hands now.

Gonna need a miracle.

But isn't Christmas the time when miracles happen?

I'd like it if they're in bed.

For a few days.

I try not to move around too much.

Colleen, the herbs Cloud Dancing gave me are in my medical bag. Would you boil

some water and steep them into a tea?

Sure.

Go check on Colleen.

See how she's getting along with that tea.

Michaela?

I'm still here.

I'm frightened.

I know.

But we must not give up hope.

No, no, we mustn't.

Will you pray for me?

All right.

Matthew.

You mean he was on Reveille?

Dr. Mike says we won't know anything until the bandages come off.

He hardly said a word when I brought him his breakfast earlier.

If the man's worried, who wouldn't be?

Look at that.

We're fixing up the tree.

Brian wants to make sure the tree's decorated for the reverend.

I'm praying for him.

I believe God's going to cure him.

Faith of a child.

I'm going to help him out.

I found a few case histories of optic neuritis in this text.

The outcomes are varied.

About 30 % of the patients recovered fully.

No lasting effects.

Are there any recommendations for treatment?

Some, but it's not clear whether the treatments are responsible for the cure

simply just the course of time.

Oh, sorry, Ma.

I was just hanging this holly wreath.

Oh, it's very pretty, Brian. Thank you.

I read that it symbolizes the beauty of the good news in a dark world.

Everybody's helping to decorate the town.

Even Mr. Bray helps with that.

Gives us four boxes of candles for the tree.

Wonderful, Brian.

Isn't it beautiful?

Well, I better get back to work.

I remember when the Reverend christened Katie.

And I remember when he married us.

And all the wonderful things he's done for the people of this town.

I can't help but wonder why this had to happen.

Especially now, at Christmas.

Bad things happen, Michaela.

Sometimes they happen to good people.

As a doctor, I know it only too well.

Children getting sick, people dying suddenly.

I try to accept that. I try to live with it.

Still with all that pain and suffering.

I suppose part of me will never understand.

What time you woke up?

Hey.

How you feeling?

I'm all right, I guess.

Well, everybody's been decorating the town.

Talking about making this the best Christmas ever.

Who knows?

Might even get snow this year.

Noah,

it's been a long time since I've been inside the church on a Sunday.

Except for that time I tried to take it away from you.

I've been much for praying, man.

Thank you, Hank.

Brian, the tree's absolutely beautiful.

Thanks.

We're almost done.

Only thing left is a star for the top.

I'm going to let the Reverend put that up.

I'm sure he'll like that.

Wait till you see it at night.

With all the candles lit, it's going to look just like the first Christmas.

The star in the sky, the angels descending to Earth.

A whole host of them.

Dr. Mack, I've got to give this to you. Pecan pie for the Reverend, fresh out of

the oven. Thank you, Grace.

Tree looks mighty fine, Brian.

Thanks.

Tomorrow's a big day.

Bandages coming off.

That's right.

I'm going to organize a prayer meeting in the morning at the church.

Who's going to see you again, Dr. Mike?

That's what God's been up to.

Getting ready to give us our own Christmas miracle.

Brian's finished his star for the tree.

He wants to show it to you.

Sure, I'll be right in.

What are you making?

A walking stick.

Sully, in the majority of cases, there's at least partial restoration in sight.

In some cases, there isn't.

We can't just assume the worst.

No, but we can be ready for it just in case.

No.

The reverend's going to get better.

I know it.

He's always saying in church how God tests us.

That's why we can't give up.

We've got to believe.

We've got to show God we have faith.

Brian's right.

We have to have faith.

I know you got a special plan for the Reverend, Lord, and I know you'll make

well again.

Please, God, help the Reverend regain his sight and touch him with your

hand.

You've done a lot of miracles, but I hope you can find it in your heart to do

just one more.

And let him know you ain't forgotten him.

The Reverend's a good man.

He's always doing what's right, helping others.

He means a lot to this town.

He's not just our reverend, he's our friend.

You don't deserve this, God.

And I know you know that.

So I know you'll help him get his sight back.

Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayers.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Amen.

Are you ready?

Tell me when you see my finger.

I can't see anything.

What do you mean it's worse?

How could this happen?

I don't know.

The atrophies progress.

I would hope you put at least some regeneration.

I thought you said it was going to be temporary.

Well, that's true.

In most cases, it is temporary.

But there are some instances when the condition doesn't reverse itself.

Does that mean the Reverend will day -blind? No, not necessarily.

It's still somewhat early.

Why don't you just admit it?

We've gone blind.

A lot of good all are praying.

I'd like to continue with the herbs. I'll examine you every day for signs of

regeneration.

I won't give up, Reverend.

I've wired for several additional specialists.

I won't stop searching until I find a way to bring your sight back.

Lauren?

Afternoon, Reverend.

Dr. Mike?

I just wanted you to know that if you'd like, you could come and live in

Dorothy's old room with me at the store.

Lauren, you don't have to do that. I know that.

I want to.

See, Dorothy helped get me well when I was sick, and I just thought

I'd do the same thing for you.

Oh, there now.

It's going to be all right.

You're still with us.

You're still our reverend.

How can I be your reverend when I can't even see the people in my church?

How can I lead people to God when I can't even read the Bible?

If it's all right with you, I'd like to stop taking these herbs now.

They have properties that are known to reduce inflammation.

I think it's best if you... They're not working.

You ought to listen to her, Reverend.

Give it some time.

Here, I... I made you this one.

What is it?

It's a walking stick.

Hold it out in front of you. You can feel your way around.

You'll be missing tomorrow for the Christmas service.

I won't be going to the Christmas service.

Thank you, Sally. I won't be needing this.

Reverend, he's only trying to help you.

I don't want it!

Kids are asleep.

Brian was angry at God for not listening to his prayers.

I know how he feels.

I picked up our Bible today.

Started looking through it.

Searching for some reason, some answers.

And all I could find was the verse that said that all things work together for

good for those who love God.

I can't see what good could come of this.

This is one of God's most loyal servants.

Struck blind without warning, made to suffer. We can't always be looking for a

reason. Why not?

Is this the work of a loving father?

Would you knowingly hurt Katie or Brian and then tell them it's just for the

fact?

No.

A father who truly loves us would not allow this to happen.

I went to that prayer meeting with faith.

Maybe you were praying for the wrong thing.

Maybe the miracle isn't in the healing, but finding the strength to accept

what's happened.

Sometimes, Michaela, we've got to stop asking ourselves, why me?

Start asking, what am I going to do?

I've doubted you.

I've questioned you. I've demanded to know why.

Now I come to you with a new prayer.

Show me how to help the reverend find the strength to keep going.

Help me find that strength as well.

No matter what lies ahead.

Good morning.

I'm just in time. We're almost finished making the star.

It's beautiful.

Thank you, Colleen.

I've been thinking about what you said the other day.

About not giving up.

And you were right.

What happened to the Reverend is terrible.

But it would be even worse if we didn't stand by him and help him to face it.

That's why we're making the star. We want to show them that we're not giving

That we believe in them no matter what happens.

There.

Now it's time to make it sparkle.

The Reverend needs our help, Brian.

Now more than ever.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Grace, I was wondering if you'd sing at tonight's service.

The service?

I thought there wasn't going to be one.

Michaela, you told us the Reverend wasn't going to come.

I'm hoping that we can change his mind.

I don't think so.

I doubt if he's ever going back to the church.

Well, then it's up to us to help him find his way.

Reverend? I just wanted to let you know that the town is still going to have its

Christmas service tonight.

We'd love it if you would be there with us.

I don't think so.

You can't live your life like this, Reverend.

I mean, you've got to start looking ahead, thinking about what you're going

do.

I have been thinking.

It's all I've been doing for days now.

There's a reason that this happened to me.

This is a punishment for my early way of life, of gambling and drinking.

No, it isn't.

A wise man told me something recently.

He said that God doesn't punish us.

He just shows us in which direction we need to go.

And when one path ends, another begins.

Brian was hoping to give you a Christmas present.

He and all the people of the town made these wonderful ornaments for the tree.

And for the top of the tree, Brian made this.

Beautiful, shining star.

When your bandages came off and your eyesight hadn't returned, Brian became

angry with God and he destroyed that star.

Brian?

I wish I could have seen it.

We made a new one.

And Brian put it on the top of the tree to show you that he still believes in

you.

He wants to help you in any way he can.

Will you all do?

What does it look like?

The tree?

Tall.

And overflowing with shimmering candles.

And the star at the top is glowing in the night.

Beneath it are hundreds of sparkling angels descending to Earth.

A whole host of them.

It really is quite beautiful.

I know.

I can see it.

The Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 8 through 14.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in their field,

watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone

round about them, and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of

great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you...

Yes, Reverend.

Mind if I continue the reading?

Sure.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ

Lord.

And this shall be as a sign unto you.

You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God, saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace

and goodwill.

Reverend? Is something wrong?

Listen.

It's snowing.

Look at that. It is. It's snowing.